GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 7655

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponets Rainham Stee! Plant limited, proposes the establishment of a steel processing and storage plant. The project involves the design and installation of a steel reinforcement bars (Rebar) rolling mill plant of capacity of 12-15 tones per hour (TPH), administration block, proposed in road infrastructure, electricity substation, master store, scrap material yard, finished material yard, raw material yard, roll workshop, panel room, the main processing area, cold billet storage, water storage facilities, pump room area, truck parking bay and a green area on plot L.R Nos. Block 2/26177 and 22616 in Katani Area, Mavoko Sub-County, Machakos County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Biodiversity and ° vegetation loss Do not site project in environmentally sensitive area e.g., watershed, wetland and riparian land. * Comply with land use plans and approved designs. * Resurface and re-vegetate exposed bare areas preferably by using natura! indigenous vegetation. Scientific evidence should be put Ist July, 2022 Possible Impacts Air emissions Waste generation Increased water and energy demands Socio-economic impacts and social conflicts Mitigation Measures in consideration to avoid introduction of invasive species. Service and maintain machinery and vehicles regularly according to schedule. Montreal protocol and in accordance to control substances regulations. Workers who may unavoidably have to work in dusty workplaces should be provided with nose and ear masks to protect them from excessive dust. Carry out regular inspection and maintenance of equipment to reduce levels of Green House Gas (GHGs) emissions into the environment. Manage materials responsibly by applying principle of reuse, recover and recycle. Contract a NEMA licensed waste handler. Develop a septic tank for waste water management especially for domestic quarters. The proponent should prepare a Solid Waste Management Plan, which should contain an inventory of the types and quantities of waste to be produced. The proponent should maintain records of types, quantities, origin, (temporary) storage, transport and elimination/reuse of solid waste, and make these available to the works supervisor upon his request, as proof of proper waste manageinent practices. Ensure all waste generated during operational phase is managed and disposed as per the provisions of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006 Contaminated water will be treated before discharge to the required standards in line with the water quality regulations. Minimize water demand by ensuring used water from the cooling circuit 1s routed through an adequately sized and effective cooling tower and pressure filter to filter the water for recycling purpose. Explore alternative sources of water that can be used such as roof catchment, rock catchment and collection from rain water pits to minimize drawing water from focal borehole and pipeline for industrial use. Provide adequate water storage tanks on site to store water from roof catchment from the extensive roofs of the go-downs during rainy season that can be used in cooling of plant and equipment. The plant machinery will be designed to maximize power usage efficiency. The proponent should consider supplementing electrical supply from the national grid with renewable energy such as solar to power the lighting system of plant and domestic or staff quarters. County government authorities to control and monitor unplanned commercial activities around the site. Encourage public participation and other parties in project planning, design and implementation. Possible Impacts Noise pollution Traffic related impacts Occupational health and safety Gender based violence at community level Labor influx Decommissioning phase Mitigation Measures Hold regular consultative meetings with neighbors to ensure good relationships. Carry out baseline noise mapping. All noisy plant machinery will be housed in sound proof buildings. Roller bearing to be used ensure that the noise levels do nat go beyond 70 dB (A). Insulation against noise should be applied where applicable. Provide appropriate PPEs. Develop and implement a traffic marshal plan for the for the operational phase. Provide sufficient parking/ holding area for traffic delivering and collecting materials from the hot rolling steel mill. Carry out training of staff in EH&S monitoring and evaluation. The proponent should recruit H&S person during operational phase. Inform neighbors about the construction programme in advance and adhere to it. Confine access to restricted work sites (including those with operation mechanical and electric equipment) to persons with permits. The proponent will ensure comply to provisions of Work Place Injuries and Benefits Act (WIBA) 2007. Provide sex-segregated clean toilets for male and female workers. Undertaking training and capacity building for all workers on use of chemicals. Provide PPE to all workers in the facility. Develop and implement provisions that ensure that gender-based violence at the company and community level is not triggered by the Project, including: effective and on-going staff and community engagement and consultation, partigularly with women and girls. Specific plan for mitigating these known risks, e€.g., sensitization around gender- equitable approaches to compensation and employment; water services: etc. Ensure adequate referral mechanisms are in place if a case of GBV at the community level is reported related to project implementation. The Proponent should prepare Influx Management Plan. The Proponent should prepare Labor and Recruitment Plan. The Proponent should prepare a “code of conduct for workers”. This code of conduct will be signed and followed by all workers involved in the project. Constitute a decommissioning team and inform relevant authorities. A due diligence decommissioning survey (audit) will be undertaken and submitted to NEMA for approval at least three months prior to the exercise. Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures * Dispose of all wastes responsibly. * Rehabilitate the degraded soil and natural flora. * Recycle, reuse or recover demolition materials where appropriate. ¢ Use of covered transport vehicles to avoid waste getting being blown off. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (ec) County Director of Environment, Machakos County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process regarding this project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/3822673 National Environment Management Authority. ?